A history of slavery fantasy | Deen taps into a long tradition

2:50 AM,
Jun. 30, 2013

Written by

Daniel Levinson Wilk
| Bloomberg News

Paula Deen is in trouble. Last month, in a deposition for a discrimination suit brought by an employee, the Food Network star blithely admitted using racial slurs. Perhaps equally disturbing, she also said she had fantasized about throwing a slavery-themed wedding for her brother, an idea that came to her after eating at a restaurant with an all-black staff.

Deen has apologized, though the Food Network announced that it won't renew her contract. Whatever her motivations, she tapped into a long history of slavery fantasy in the United States.